Some residents say drug rehab center doesn't belong in Blue Point

A plan to bring a drug rehabilitation center to Blue Point is not sitting well with some residents.

The facility would move into the St. Ursuline Center, a convent that has been home to nuns for decades.

Sister Joanne Callahan says they can no longer afford to pay $900,000 each year and had no choice but to sell it. They reached an agreement with the Seafield Center, a private group that wants to turn the convent into a 76-bed alcohol and drug abuse rehab center for women.

The Ursuline Sisters say the center has been a place of hope, healing and transformation since 1935. When the Seafield Center approached them, they say it was an answer to their prayers.

"It will be a bright spot in what has been a sad process," said Callahan.

However, a group of neighbors say a drug rehabilitation center is not the right fit for the small community.

"We are not against drug rehab center. We're against the location," said Jimmy Powers.

"I feel for these people, but I feel like there's other places they can go where it wouldn't be a negative impact to people around them," said Joan Foley.

Seafield Center owners told News 12 Long Island that they have been providing treatment in a residential neighborhood of Westhampton Beach for 32 years without a negative impact on their neighbors. They plan to hold a community hearing at the St. Ursuline Center on Dec. 7 to speak to residents about their plans for the facility.